Catering Crew accomodation - Bristol

[Fyldeboy]

In the early 1990s the 1st floor premises between platforms 5 and 7 at Bristol Temple Meads were refurbished and split with Guards occupying one half and catering crew the other. I remember talk that these premises had been previously (originally?) used by (female?) catering staff overnight between shifts.

Was this just tittle-tattle or was it based on the truth? Does anyone have any memories of these time - or even evidence?

 

[Cheshire Scot]

In the early 1990s the 1st floor premises between platforms 5 and 7 at Bristol Temple Meads were refurbished and split with Guards occupying one half and catering crew the other. I remember talk that these premises had been previously (originally?) used by (female?) catering staff overnight between shifts.

Was this just tittle-tattle or was it based on the truth? Does anyone have any memories of these time - or even evidence?

I have no knowledge of Bristol specifically but certainly in years gone by many Catering Crews would stay with the Catering Vehicle for the full and often lengthy journey and often lodge, completing an outward journey on day 1 and return journey to their home station on day 2.

 

[Taunton]

I have no knowledge of Bristol specifically

Me neither, but I did understand that such "lodging" arrangements for catering crews long ago did happen, and that they would receive an overnight cash allowance for this in their pay, which led to making various informal "own arrangements". Many older catering crews on the Western were ex-Royal Navy, and not unused to such a life.

Another one was the train entirely of restaurant cars, which worked ecs down from Old Oak Common to Penzance on summer Fridays, to come back marshalled into various extra Up services on Saturday, where I believe the crews used to sleep overnight, somehow, in the cars themselves.

 

[AngusH]

There is a book "Railwaywomen: Exploitation, Betrayal, and Triumph in the Workplace" by Helena Wojtczak, which I found recently. I've only read extracts so far, since it appears out of print and no kindle edition is available.

An extract:

"Some concern was shown for the welfare of young women in railway catering. The barmaids at Liverpool Street were invited to reside in the GER hostel at Hackney, where they received full board. The company boasted that every convenience — from a housekeeper to a piano — was provided for them. By the 1890s a Barmaids’ Guild existed at Wolverton and a House of Rest was provided for them by Lady Wolverton"


This is of course a different company; but, even so, I think the idea that there were hostels for women at Bristol is highly plausible.

 

[Rescars]

I cannot comment about Bristol, but there certainly was a lodging turn in the late 70s, involving a catering crew from Birmingham working North to Glasgow one day and returning the next.

Also in the 70s, some catering staff used to be recruited from ER to work three consecutive days of Ascot race specials from the West Midlands. They were accommodated in a second class sleeper connected to a shore supply at Oxley.

 

[Ashley Hill]

n the early 1990s the 1st floor premises between platforms 5 and 7 at Bristol Temple Meads were refurbished and split with Guards occupying one half and catering crew the other.

InterCity Senior Conductors and buffet crews,later becoming GWT and FGW moved up there about 1992ish. Us menials on Regional Railways remained in Collett House. Until Wessex merged with FGW and Collett House closed we were never allowed into P5/7 mess rooms.
I’ve never heard of this building being used as a lodge though,however Exeter had a building specifically for female catering staff in proper GWR days.

Sadly it’s earlier twin on platform 1 is reputedly being demolished this year.

 

[Hellzapoppin]

When I joined BR in the late 70s there were rumours that parties were held in the "flats" on plat 5-8, some apparently got a little out of hand. There was a certain flamboyant character at the station who may have had some input into those. I'm working at BTM in a couple of weeks time so if I remember I'll ask some questions.